ARUSHA, Tanzania — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has warned African leaders against what he described as “mis-cooking the African revolution,” urging deeper economic and political integration across the continent to secure prosperity and strategic security.
Speaking after being elected chairperson of the East African Community (EAC) at the 25th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Heads of State in Arusha on March 7, Museveni said Africa risks undermining its own progress if regional integration efforts are not pursued decisively.
“Thanks for electing me to chair the EAC Authority for the next one year,” Museveni said. “At this point in history… I feel compelled to bring up the issue of okukonesa (kufubya) — mis-cooking the African revolution.”
Warning against “okukonesa” of the revolution
Museveni used a metaphor from the Runyankore language to illustrate his point, describing okukonesa as the process of under-cooking food by failing to apply sufficient heat for the necessary time.
“Kukonesa… is a process where the food is not properly or consistently cooked by not applying the necessary heat for the necessary duration, and it ends up being undercooked,” he said. “The option, then, is to throw away that food and cook another quantity.”
The Ugandan leader said similar mistakes had historically weakened African societies and allowed colonial powers to dominate the continent.
By the early 20th century, he noted, almost the entire continent had been colonised. “By 1900, the whole of the African continent had been colonised except for Ethiopia, which had defeated the Italian imperialists in 1896 at Adowa,” Museveni said.
Call for economic and political integration
Museveni argued that Africa’s long-term prosperity depends on building larger integrated markets and stronger political blocs.
“With modern economics, prosperity is achieved through the production and sale of the goods or services that one is capable of producing,” he said. “To sell, however, you need markets… The more buyers you have, the more prosperous you become.”
He said economic integration within East Africa and across the continent was essential to create those markets. “If we do not work on this seriously and without wasting time, we betray our people. We kukonesa (undercook) the African revolution,” Museveni said.
The President also emphasised the need for political integration to strengthen Africa’s security and global influence. “Strategic security can only come… from political integration through the creation of regional federations where possible,” he said.
Lessons from global economic powers
Museveni compared Africa’s economic output with that of major global economies to underline the need for stronger integration. “The GDP of Africa is USD 3.6 trillion; that of the USA is USD 31.82 trillion; China is now USD 20.65 trillion; India is USD 4.18 trillion,” he said.
He argued that large domestic markets have helped countries like China and India attract investment and expand their economies. “While we look for foreign markets, the reliable core market is the internal one. It is guaranteed,” Museveni said.
Appeal to African youth
Museveni also called on young Africans to revive the ideals of the Pan-African movement. “I appeal to the youth of East Africa, of Africa, to go back to Uhuru na Umoja — freedom and unity,” he said.
He warned that failure to achieve unity could lead to economic stagnation and continued migration of African youth. “What is generating the migration of the African youth who are dying in the Mediterranean Sea going to Europe? It is the narrowness of the money economy of Africa that does not create the necessary jobs,” he said.
Museveni concluded by urging African leaders and citizens to recommit to unity and cooperation across the continent. “Africa is still there. We have lost opportunities, but we can catch up,” he said. “God Bless Africa.”
The East African Community, which currently brings together eight member states including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia, is pursuing deeper regional integration through a customs union, common market and the long-term goal of a political federation.